Article by
Barbados Today

Published on
February 27, 2016

Squatting could be a thing of the past if persons seeking housing solutions take up the Ministry of Housing and Lands’ offer to buy lots at $5 per sq.ft.

Minister Denis Kellman gave Barbadians this assurance today in the House of Assembly while moving the passage of a resolution to vest in the Central Bank of Barbados 994.64 square metres of land, inclusive of 841 square metres of public road. The Crown property, situated at Church Village, The City is to be redeveloped by the Central Bank.

“This Government always seeks solutions to problems. We are also looking to see how we will solve the squatting problem, Kellman told the House.

He explained that Government would not only be building a reverse osmosis plant, but would also be offering people who qualify the opportunity to come and buy land at $5 per square foot to remove themselves from areas where they were deemed to be creating environmental problems.

“So I do not want to hear from today that we are not offering a solution to the housing problems and the squatting problems in the country.

“From the floor of this House I have said people are free to come and apply for some of the 500 lots at $5 a square foot to remove themselves from squatting and own a piece of the rock. Is not that proactive Government?” he asked.

The Minister of Housing said suitable persons could visit the ministry to apply for a lot.

“We are talking about $18,000 for a plot of land and not $180,000,” he emphasized. (NC)